Rationale
Within the assessment region, the Southern Right Whale population is increasing and recent ranges expand into historical parts of its range, suggesting healthy population dynamics. Population numbers are no longer decreasing thanks to the IWCâs moratorium on right whale capture since 1935, followed by the cessation of illegal Soviet captures in 1972. Areas of reduced anthropogenic disturbance located in sheltered coastal waters such as the De Hoop Marine Protected Area and the Hermanus whale sanctuary may contribute to a continued stable population growth rate Population increases within the assessment region have been estimated through aerial surveys, and the most recent annual population growth rate is projected as 6.6%. No major threats have been identified that could cause rapid population decline. However, there is the emerging pressure of bulk sediment benthic phosphate mining off South Africa and Namibia, and the impacts of such activity on the ecosystem is unknown, but likely negative and should be monitored.In 1997, the globally estimated population size, based on a 7.5% annual increase, was over 1,600 mature females. Although still scarce relative to its historic abundance (less than 10%), no major threats seem to be threatening Southern Right Whale populations. In 2007 the current global southern hemisphere population was estimated to be greater now than it was three generations prior. This result was based on an estimated generation time of 29 years.
Regional population effects: This southern hemisphere species exhibits seasonal migration and is wide-ranging. There are no barriers to dispersal, thus rescue effects are possible.